Thomas de Keyser was, with Nicolas Eliasz., the most popular portrait painter in Amsterdam until the arrival of Rembrandt in 1631/2. He specialised in small-scale portraits notable for their meticulous finish and attention to detail, as well as life-size portraits.
Thomas de Keyser was the son of the famous Amsterdam architect and sculptor, Hendrick de Keyser (1565 - 1621), who trained him. His earliest dated work is a group portrait of Amsterdam Surgeons (Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum), painted in 1619. Further group portraits followed, as well as his small-scale individual portraits. After 1640 he became active as a stone merchant and his output of paintings declined.
Thomas de Keyser
1596/7 - 1667
Paintings by Thomas de Keyser
Constantijn Huygens was a senior diplomat who spoke several languages and had a wide knowledge of the arts and sciences. In this portrait, he’s caught in action, receiving a message from a young clerk. Interrupted in his work, he wears a riding outfit as if ready to be up and off in a moment on s...